Game device



April 30,1940. HEAHREN; v 2,199,321

GAME DEVICE Filed oct. 19. 1938 v s Sheets-Sheet 1 wwuus ATTORNEYS April 30, mm

H. F, AHRENS I GAME DEVICE Filed Oct. 19, 1938 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 E QW; I

ATTORNEYS April 30, 1940- H. F'. AHRENS 2,199,327

GAME DEVICE Filed Oct. 19, 1938 s Sheets-Sheet s INVENTOR wrmua ATTORNEYS .215 rections.

Patented Apr. 30, 1940 PATENT OFFlCE GAME DEVICE Henry F. Ahrens, Richmond Hill, N. Y. Application October 19, 1938, Serial No. 235,867

Claims. (01. 273-118) My invention relates to amusement devices,

and has among its objects and advantages the provision of an improved game of skill.

An object of my invention is to provide a game of skill including a field upon whichfree rolling balls are successively discharged and deflected in various directions through the medium of mev chanical devices beyond the control of the player and in which novel manually actuated traps are 1. incorporated for trapping balls for score registering purposes. The playing field comprises an in- I clined surface characterized by a plurality of mechanically rotated areas or deflectors for deflecting or propelling the balls in accidental di- The areas or deflectors comprise continuations of the playing .field and are so related as to require the delivered balls to roll into contact with at least a number of the areas.-

The traps are distributed over the playing field and are electrically related to lamps in a scoring device for iluminating the score. The traps are in the nature of cups normally lyingv underneath the playing field in combination with manually actuated linkages for selectively bringing the cups 5 above the surface of the playing field for trapping the balls and thereby registering scores. In the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 is a top plan view of a game device in accordance with my invention;

l Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view;

Figure 3 is a transverse sectional view;

Figure 4 is an enlarged sectional View of one of the traps; I

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 4, but illustrating the trap in its normal position; and

Figure 6 is a diagrammatic view of the electric circuit associated with the scoring mechanism.

In the embodiment selected to illustrate my invention, I make use of a housing ll! of box-like formation. The housing includes a bottom l2, end walls l4 and I6, and side walls I8. The upper margins of the side and end walls carry a frame 28 for supporting a closure 22, which may comprise glass. Inside the housing l0, beneath the closure 22, I mount an inclined playing field 24,

which is mounted on supports 26 glued or otherwise secured to the side walls 18. End wall [6 is extended at 28 to provide a housing 38 which contains a plurality of lamps 32 for illuminating the registered scores. Playing field 24 declines in the direction of the end wall l4, so that free rolling balls delivered to the playing field through the medium of a runway 34 will gravitate toward the end wall [4. 1

Playing field 24 .is characterized by a plurality of rotary discs or areas 36, 38 and 40. The discs 9 (are centrally aligned longitudinally of the field 24 and comprise continuations of the playing field, since theirupper surfaces terminate flush with the upper surface of the field. Field 24 also in-.-, 5 cludes a plurality of rotary discs or areas 42, 44, 46 and 48 located between the discs 36, 38 and 48 and the side walls l8. Discs 42, 44, 46 and 48 similarly comprise continuations of the playing field, in that their upper faces terminate fiush with the upper face of the field 24. Fig. 2 illustrates the field 24 as being recessed at 50 for housing the individual discs to bring their upper surfaces fiush with the field 24.

Disc 36 includes curved ball deflecting grooves 15 52 radiating radially of the disc from the axis thereof. Discs 38 and 48 are plane, but of the same diameter as the disc 36. Each of thediscs 42, 44, 46 and 48 is provided with four upstanding and right-angularly related flanges 54. The. 20 flanges 54'are positioned radially of their respective discs and are preferably spaced ninety. degrees apart, as illustrated in Fig. 1. This view illustrates the flanges 54 as extending slightly beyond the perimeters of their respective discs. 25

I mount a motor 56 on the bottom I2, which motor drives a pinion 58 arranged in mesh with a bevel gear 66. Bevel gear 68 is keyed to a shaft 62 having its lower end rotatably journaled at 64 in a frame 66. To the upper end of the shaft 30 62 I key a gear 68. A frame 18 is positionedbedisc 38.

Gear 68 is arranged in mesh with a gear 12 meshing with a gear 14 which rotates the disc 48. Gears 12 and 14 are keyed to shafts 16 and 18, respectively, journaled in the frames 66 and 18' 40 in the same manner as the shaft 62. Gear 14 meshes with a gear which meshes with a-gear 82' keyed to the shaft 84 of the disc 36 for rotating the latter. The shaft 86 associated with the gear 80 is rotatably journaled in the fames 4 66' and 10, which is also true of the shaft 84. Gear' 82 is arranged in mesh with a gear 88, which in turn is arranged in mesh with a gear 90 for rotating the disc '42. Shafts 92 and 94 associated with the gears 88 and 90, respectively, 5 are journaled in the frames 66 and 10. A second gear 96 is arranged in mesh with the gear 68 and is in mesh witha gear 98 for driving the disc 46. Gears 96 and 98 are keyed to shafts llllland 55 "larly, "the discs 46" and tioned betweenthe 'traps150, I52 and I54. The

I02, respectively, journaled in the frames 66 and I Gear 98 is in mesh with a gear I04 arranged in mesh with a gear I66 for driving the disc 40. Shafts I99 and III] associated with the gears I04 and I06, respectively, are journaled in the frames 66 and 10. Gear I06 is arranged in mesh with a gear II2 which is arranged in mesh with a gear M4 for driving the disc 44. Shafts IIB and II 3 associated with the-gears I! 2 and=II4, respectively. are also journaled in the frames 66 and 10. It will thus be seen that operation of the motor 56 will impart rotation to all rated in the playing field 24.

Motor 56 is electrically connected with" a'time switch I20 which may be provided-"with a -coin slide I22 operable upon insertion of a coin of predetermined denomination for closing the circuit to the motor for a given period of time. 1 Such switches are old and well known in the art and need-not be described in'further detail. Playing field '24-, adjacent the end wall It, terminates in a trough "I23 which extends the full width'of the playing field and declines in the'direction'of a conduit I24 extending along one of the sidewalls I8 andto a position centrallyof the housing I0 adjacent the end wall I6. Conduit" I24 declines in the direction of the end wall I6 so that balls delivered thereto will gravitate into receiving relation with a ball delivery device I26.

Delivery device i26 comprises a circular disc I28 provided with spaced fins I39 projecting radially fromiits peripheral face I32. Fins I30 are spaced to receive the balls I34, and the disc I28 rotates inside a housing I36 having close fitting relation with the fins for conveying'the balls upwardly into delivery relation with the runway 34. The balls'IM roll into position between the fins I30 from the discharge end of the conduit I24. Peripheral'face I32 isangular so that the balls I34 will gravitate into the runway 34 as they are brought'into alignment therewith.

Disc-I28 is keyed to a shaft I38 connected with a bevel gear I49 arranged in mesh with a bevel gear I42 keyed to the shaft 06. It will thus be seen that'thedisc I28 is driven through the medium of the-motor 56. Balls I34 discharged'onto the" playing field 24 will tend to gravitate in the direction of the end wall I4. Discs 36 to 48, inclusive; rotate at a sufiic'iently rapid speed to cause the balls tobe" deflected or'propelled in irregular or tortuous paths so that no two balls will travel the same path. Balls coming incon- 'tact "vl ith the flanges 54 are projected vigorously in difierent'directions, and agiven ball may be brought into contact with a number of the discs in its course over the playing field 24. Eventually theballs will complete their courses and drop into the trough I23, after which the conduit I24 will carry the'balls into pickup relation'with the I ball delivery device I26.

Means is provided for arresting'or" trapping balls during their irregular courses over the playing fieldil l. Such'means is manually actuated and is designed to register the score of a given player.

Fig. 1 illustrates a plurality of traps I44; I46, I48; -III,- I52 and I54. Normally the traps lie underneath the playing field 24, but may be broughtinto positions above the playing field for trapping balls and recording scores. According to Fig. 1, the discs 42 and 44 are alternately position'ed between the traps I65. I46 and I48. Simi- 48 are alternately posithe discs incorpo- -conne'ction" with across which I mount a plate ing the plate I98. field 24'is recessed screw 'or bolt playing field24. Playing field-24 is provided with a curved slot I66 of sufii'cient proportions to per mit the cup I 56 to be pivoted therethrough about the axis of the shaft I62 to the position of Fig. 4. Fig. 4 illustrates the ball I 34 trapped in the Shaft I62 is fixedly connected with a crankarm-l68 pivotally connected at I with a link I'I2 pivotally connected at I'M with a rod-I16 rotatably carried by a bracket I78 and the end wall I 4.

Rod I'I6 extends through the end wall I4 for a grip 480- which is'manually rotated for imparting rotary motion to'the shaft I16. Rotation of the shaft IIIi-actuatesthe link I72; which-in turn imparts rotary motion to the shaft I 62-for moving the cup I56 from the position of Fig. 5 to that of Fig. 4 for trapping the ball 134. "Similarly, the operating linkage is manually manipulated for moving the cup I56 I34 and returing the cup to its In its normal position, the cup to obstruct the balls rolling thereon. Trapping of the balls I34 simultaneously illuminates and records thescore value of the particular cup which has been 5110- cessfully" manipulated for trappingone of the balls.

Housing 30 is provided with partitionsIBZ to provide compartments I84 each of which includes" one of the lamps 32. The Wall I86 of the housing 30 is provided with a' series of openings I88 which register with the lamps 32 located in the compartment I84. Across each opening I88 extends atransparent sheet a retaining ring I92 screwed to the wall I86. Fig. 3 illustrates the sheets I90 as being provided with numerals'I94 of diiferent values. One lamp 32 is provided for each of the traps I44 to I54, inolusive.' Thus each trap is characterized by a score value and no twovalues are alike. 'The "score isrecord'ed only whenpne of the balls I34 lamp associated with that particular trap for" illuminating the score.

Referring to Figs. 4 and 5,'theplaying field 24 is provided with a relatively large'opening I96 I98 of insulating material. tom face about the opening I96 for accommodat- The upper face of the playing for accommodating a ring 200 having an inside diameter somewhat smaller than restraining relation with a switch plate'202 slidable'in'side the opening I96. To the plate I98 I secure one end of a spring contact strip 204 by a 206 to which a wire 208 is electrically connected.

Strip204 is provided with a contact point 2I0 arranged tobe brought into circuit closing relation with a' contact 2I2 anchored to the plate I98 by a bolt 2M. Bolt 2I4 is electrically connected with the wire 2'I 6.

I90 which is made secure by Playing field 24 is recessed on its bot the diameter 'of the opening I96 so as to have The circuit through the lamp the point 2I-6 is to exert pressure on 32fa'ssociated --with 'the-cup lli6 is closed when moved into contacting relation with the point 2I2'.' Cup I56 is of such depth as the ball I34 for depressing the plate 202 and bringing the point 2) into circuit closing relation with the point 2I2, see Fig. '4. The halls I34comprise resilient solid rubber. Bolts 2I8 fixedly relate the plate I98 and the ring 268 to the field 24. All the switch devices associated with the traps I44 to I54, inclusive, are identical so that the description directed to Figs. 4 and 5' will include all the traps.

Fig. 6 illustrates the electric circuit associated with the traps and the score recording mechanism. The time switch I20 is connected with the line wires 220, while the switch is connected with the motor 56 through the medium of wires 222. 224 of a step down transformer The primary coil 226 is connected with the wire 222 through the medium of wires 228; The low tension coil of the transformer is connected with wires 232 and 234. Wire 232 is connected with the lamps 32, while the wire 234 is connected with the contacts 2I2 of the traps I50, I52 and I54 through the medium of the wires 2I6.

A wire 236 is connected with the wire 234 and is electrically connected with the'contacts 2I2 of the traps I48, I44 and I46 through the medium of the wires 2I6. Contacts 206 of all the traps are electrically connected with the lamps 32 through the medium. of wires 238. It will thus be seenthat trapping of a ball I34 by any one of the traps will close the circuit through the lamp 32 associated with that trap, since the lamps and their respective switches are connected in parallel in the lamp circui In operation, motor 56 will operate for a period of time, during which time the balls I34 will be successively dropped upon the playing field 24. The balls entering the playing field will be deflected or propelled in irregular courses quite rapidly. The traps are manuallyactuated, while the balls are mechanically propelled so as to be beyond the control of the player. However, balls coming within the range of the traps may be caught in the cups I56 for registering scores. The traps are individually manipulated so. that both hands may be employed.

The irregular courses of the balls over the playing field necessitates considerable skill on. the part of the player for trapping purposes. Trapped balls immediately illuminate the registering mechanism associated with the trapped balls. After trapping, the balls may be released by moving the cups I56 to their normal positions, after which the balls will again'be brought into play on the field 24 until such time as they gravitate downwardly beyond the range of the rotary discs and drop into the trough I23.

The halls are delivered successively onto the playing field 24. A predetermined number of balls may be provided. The successive delivery of the balls in combination with the rotary discs will cause a number of balls to be simultaneously active on the field at a given time, thus necessitating additional skill on the part of the player. The discs are so arranged as to require the balls to come in contact with a number of the discs as they tend to gravitate downwardly of the field. Discs 42, 44, 46 and 48 are closely situated to the side walls I8 so as to prevent the balls from escaping these discs during any travel of the balls along the side walls.

In Figure 1, I illustrate ing provided with springs the shafts I16 as be- 240 cooperable on the shafts 'I'I6:and"the end wall I4' for returning the "traps to their normal positions underneath the fields Traps I44 to I54 may identifying numerals or indicia 242, which indicia is duplicated on the grips I for eating the respective traps operatively connected "with the grips. Y

be provided with definitely indi- 5 I claim:

1. A game of skill comprising a housing having an inclined field provided with ball collecting means at its lower end, ball elevating means located at the opposite end of the field for delivering balls onto the field, a gravity conveyer for moving the balls from the ball collecting means to the ball elevating means, a motor for operating the ball elevating means, a plurality of ball deflecting devices on the field, operating connections between the motor and the ball deflecting means, and manually actuated ball traps distributed over the field and being operably accessible from positions exteriorly of the housing.

2. A game of skill comprising ,a field inclined to gravitate a ball downwardly of the field, rotative ball deflectors distributed over the field for deflecting the ball in an irregular course, means for rotating the deflectors, pressure responsive scoring switches distributed over the field, said field being provided with an opening adjacent each of said switches, and a manually actuated ball trap for each switch normally located underneath said fieldand being adapted to be projected through its respective opening in the field for trapping the ball and holding the latter against 3 its respective switch for closing the latter.

3. A game of skill comprising an inclined field provided with ball collecting means at its lower end, ball elevating means located at the opposite end of the field for delivering balls onto the field, an inclined runway for moving the balls from the ball collecting means to the ball elevating means, rotative ball deflectors distributed over the field fordefiecting the balls in irregular courses, a motor having operatingconnections with the deflectors for rotating the latter and an operating connection with saidball elevating means, pressure responsive scoring switches'distribute'd over the field, and a manually actuated ball trap for each switch for trapping one of said balls and holding the trapped ball against its respective switchyfor closing the same. 50.

4. A game of skill comprising an inclined field provided with ball collecting means at its lower end, ball elevating means located at the opposite end of the field for delivering balls onto the field, an inclined runway for moving the balls from the ball collecting means to the ball elevating means, rotative ball deflectors distributed over the field for deflecting the balls in irregular courses, a motor having operating connections with the defiec-I tors for rotating the latter and an operating connection with said ball elevating means, pressure responsive scoring switches distributed over the field andhaving pressure plates lying flush with the upper face of the field and movable in openings in the field, said field being provided with slots, and manually actuated ball traps normally lying underneath the field and adapted to-be projected through the slots for trapping balls on the field and holding the latter against their respective pressure plates for closing the switches.

5. A game of skill comprising an inclined field provided with ball collecting means at its lower end, ball elevating means located at the opposite end of the field for delivering balls onto the field, an inclined runway for moving balls from the ball 75 said field being provided with a plurality; of slots collecting. means to the ball. e1evating;-mea;ns;:,;r0- tativeiballt deflectors: distributed roverjthe' field -for deflecting the balls; in irregular: courses over-the .J. distributed over: (the-fie1d,zand;manua1ly actuated v-.-bam11; scoringtraps normallylying underneath, the r fieldhendx. adapted: 7170 .-be selectively p l ojected throughtheir :respective slots .for trapping-balls r 7deflected:(Withinrange thereof.

,4 HENRY F. AIIRENS. 

